Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) is frustrated with how the media treats women of color.
During a conversation with Politico, Lightfoot commented on Time Magazine’s previous cover story on former Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel.
“I remember Rahm Emanuel appearing on the cover of Time magazine, the headline was basically like: ‘Tough guy for Chicago,’” she told Politico.
Lightfoot argued, “No woman or woman of color is ever going to get that headline.”
She made the comments as part of a piece published by the outlet titled, “Calling the Police: Lightfoot Needs A Lifeline.”
Opening the story, Jonathan Martin pointed out Lightfoot could be “in grave danger of becoming the first Chicago mayor defeated in 40 years.”
Martin noted as residents of Chicago head to the polls Tuesday, “Lightfoot’s fate may depend on whether enough other Black voters will listen to the last-minute appeal she’s making on the stump and in television ads, where she’s broadcasting a closing commercial assailing the African American Johnson as a ‘radical’ who’d ‘wreck our city with dangerous defunding of police.'”
He describes one of Lightfoot’s opponents, Brandon Johnson, a Cook County Commissioner, as “showing signs of late momentum.”
The story suggests Johnson’s largest asset could be the Chicago Teachers Union.
Martin explained it is “an endorsement that could deliver enough Black votes to pair with his progressive white and Hispanic support and get him into the runoff.”
Still, during a church service Sunday, Johnson recognized the significance of a Black woman leading the city.
“I understand it’s important for a Black woman to be in charge, I’m married to one. So just know this, when you vote for me a Black woman will still be in charge,” he said.
Lightfoot’s other rivals include Paul Vallas, who has support from the police union, and Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), who notably pushed Emanuel to a runoff election in 2015, as CBS News noted.
